Plymouth edges CMA in battle of tourney foes

By Paul Dendiu
Pilot Sports

Culver Academy’s Daniel Bernhard (right) kicks the ball past Plymouth’s Kenrick Mills in the first half at Kindt Field on Thursday night. Looking on are CMA’s Nicolas Cacic (3) and Lucas Larson. pilot photo/paul dendiu

PLYMOUTH - Thursday's boys soccer game between Plymouth and Culver Academy was a preview of their upcoming sectional matchup.

Well, sort of.

Sophomore Randy Davis scored on a first-half free kick and Plymouth's defense recorded another shutout in a 1-0 victory.

The Rockies (9-4-3) will meet the Eagles next Monday in the first round of the Argos Sectional. Five of Culver Academy's regular starters - including senior star Raul Bolanos-Cacho - were out with injuries on Plymouth's Senior Night.

”We'll have a little different look come Monday,“ Culver Academy coach Jim Brugh said. ”We'll just have to play harder, play our game and see if they can match us.“

The lineup changes put more pressure on Academy senior forward Eduardo Sanchez, and the Rockies made sure he felt it.

”Our midfield did what we wanted them to do and held Sanchez in check,“ Plymouth coach Jim Ward said. ”This is a good win for us to pick up some momentum going into the sectional.“

Davis, who came into the game with just five goals, was tripped outside the box in the 31st minute. As soon as the referee placed the ball down, Davis rifled a 25-yard shot into the top right corner of the net.

”I'm proud that Randy broke out of his slump tonight,“ Ward said. ”We've been working on those fast free kicks and restarts. That's what won it for us.“

The Eagles (10-3-3) missed their best chance to tie the game in the 62nd minute. Gustavo Tosi hit Sasha Ponomar with a perfect touch pass 10 yards from the goal, but Ponomar's shot bounced wide left.

”Plymouth kept us out of really good quality shots. The ones we did take, we squandered,“ Brugh said.

Plymouth goalie Josh VanVactor stopped 10 shots on goal, while counterpart Lucas Larson had seven saves. The Rockies have only allowed one goal in their last seven games.

”Once we get up, I'm confident with my defense the way we're playing now. We're pretty stout back there,“ Ward said. ”Luis (Orellana) started back there about 10 games ago and has done an excellent job.“

Defenseman Bryan Spoor, one of 13 Plymouth seniors recognized before the game, suffered a right ankle sprain going for a 50-50 ball in the first half. He didn't return and may not be available for the sectional.

”Bryan is questionable now and that's going to be a problem. The good news is (Scott) Robertson will be back in the lineup Monday, so that will help,“ Ward said.

”They were missing some players and so were we. We made some mistakes defensively that we shouldn't have made, but we had a lot of opportunities where we broke them down, too. It's going to be a good game on Monday.“

PLYMOUTH 1, CULVER ACADEMY 0
At Plymouth
First half
P - Randy Davis 31st minute
Shots on goal: Plymouth 8, Culver Academy 10.
Saves: Culver Academy 7 (Lucas Larson), Plymouth 10 (Josh VanVactor).
Corner kicks: Plymouth 5, Culver Academy 5.
Records: Plymouth 9-4-3, Culver Academy 10-3-3.
JV score: Plymouth 3, Culver Academy 2.